I've been practising ashtanga yoga for around 15 years and I couldn't be happier that in my early 40s, I find myself in Berkeley with Vance Selover as my trusted teacher and friend, and the beautiful community he's created as my second home and emotional/psychic haven. For context, I've learned from many wonderful teachers in the ashtanga tradition, including David Swenson, Nancy Gilgoff, Matt Ryan, Kia Naddermier, George Whiteside, Jean Cho, Monica Marinoni, Katie Kehoe, Oni Ingber, Hamish Hendry, and the teachers at the Lino Miele school in Rome. After many years of leading group self-practice in New Haven, CT, I moved to Berkeley in summer 2019 and I was thrilled to have a regular teacher again. But more than that, I knew the moment I first entered the studio that I had found something extra special. Vance's shala is the most welcoming, diverse, peaceful and accepting space I have ever practised. It is a privilege to work with a teacher as humble, sensitive, intuitive, intelligent and compassionate as Vance and I am grateful to him every day. The pandemic was difficult for everyone but Vance kept us going with daily sessions on zoom. Around that time, I began to practice 5-6 times a week and under Vance's guidance, even online, I learned to soften my practice in a way that had eluded me previously. When we returned to in-person practices, I continued to work on the intermediate series under Vance's guidance and I recently learned the final poses of intermediate from him. This has been a wonderful journey of increasing internal awareness and external physical transformation, without any pressure to "perform" or to reach any self- or other-imposed goals. This review is a long overdue public appreciation of Vance's teaching, after nearly four years of near-daily practice with his support. Whether you're a complete beginner curious about ashtanga, a seasoned practitioner passing through or new to the area, or have an on-again-off-again practice, you will find him a gentle, supportive and empowering teacher. Vance's monthly subscriptions are excellent value (180/month unlimited sessions; scholarships available) and the friendship, solidarity and dedication of Vance's students / fellow practitioners are a testament to the kindness, steadiness, and care he shows to everyone who comes through the doors. read more

UPDATE: While on vacation, I came to visit (10/5/18) and again, a GREAT practice that had lasted me since. I live in LA so it's seldom that I am at this studio. And I look forward to coming back more now! Here's my recent experience: I hadn't practiced yoga or MySore for a while, instead I have been doing bootcamp and in hustling mode. So I came to practice a bit worried that I was a slacker. But again, Vance was such a welcoming space. And spoke to my highest excellence. It's like being recognized for your highest intentions. So awesome. And I got strongly connected with how spiritual a practice this is; a practice toward my inner peace. This time around, Vance encourage me to take my time and honor the energy I had instead of powering through poses. I didn't realize how much I've burdened myself by pushing and pushing instead of taking my time and allowing and respecting what my body had to offer each time I showed up to anything. So awesome. Now I practice with the intention of being peaceful. read more

After practicing Ashtanga vinyasa based flow sequences with great teachers in the Bay Area for nearly a decade, I was so pleased to go straight to the source and begin practicing in the traditional method with Vance Selover. His own practice and his respect and mastery of both Ashtanga Yoga and Buddhist meditation traditions is inspiring and shines through his teaching. Mysore ashtanga is a personal practice done under the guidance of a teacher, meaning that you advance at your own pace without being forced into poses that you are not ready for, unlike many other yoga classes where teachers are encouraging students to do rigorous sequences of poses that might not be right for them. You also get a considerable amount more personal attention since the class is silent (except for Led Primary Series classes on Friday mornings at 7:00 AM) so you really get the attention you need. Vance's new studio at 933 Parker is a true gem full of light and space, and heated to just the right temperature (around 80-85 degrees) so you can sweat and beat the winter chills without getting drenched and risking heat stroke and kidney damage like in many heated classes these days! Vance is also developing a more encompassing program for the space with plans to host day long meditation sittings and other dharmic practices for the community benefit. I highly recommend Ashtanga Yoga Berkeley to anyone seeking a deeper experience of traditional hatha yoga practice! read more

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I'm writing this after I've moved away to an area where there is no local ashtanga teacher, and I find myself missing Vance and the lovely space he keeps in Berkeley. I practiced here regularly for about 12 months after my previous teacher moved. Vance is a really good teacher. He gives very effective adjustments that don't feel forceful, even if he is bringing you deeper than you've ever been in a pose. That, is a cultivated skill. If you've been yanked around, and possibly injured, by someone, then you know how valuable that skill is. If you've been around and sampled shalas, then I would describe this as the non judgy kind of shala. Vance is very even keeled and makes you feel welcome. read more

I've been coming for Vance's early morning, Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga sessions for nearly a year and I couldn't be more pleased. The studio is light-filled and spacious, with high ceilings. And Vance is extremely compassionate and gentle, while still motivating great progress in my practice. If you haven't done much yoga, Ashtanga is quite a workout, building whole-body strength and flexibility in a fixed sequence. Mysore Style Ashtanga is great because, unlike led classes, you work at your own pace, with your own breath. Don't be scared and don't put it off. Your body and mind will thank you for it. read more

Vance is a wonderful yoga teacher for Mysor and group Astanga classes. He has a sense of where every student is in their practice and is able to make yoga work for everyone. I had been looking for a traditional Mysor style class in Berkeley since I moved back. I had been doing my own practice at home but there is nothing like a really great teacher to move your practice along. Vance has you start at the beginning even if you have experience with Astanga yoga, and makes sure you get the details right which I really appreciate. read more

Vance is a great teacher. I was a complete beginner and taught me from sun salutation. He gives gentle adjustments and simple advice. I feel that I could not have picked better place to start my ashtanga practice 4 years ago. read more

I appreciate the focus and sincerity of this center and Vance is a very attuned, gentle and motivating teacher. It is clear he has a ton of experience and yet does not overpower with dominating ego or excessive force. I have been in and out of yoga practice for years and this is my first time with the Mysore Ashtanga process and I love it. It is a very welcoming space and I look forward to continuing. read more

I discovered Vance's class while on a short stint in San Francisco. Vance's class is what I'll miss the most about the Bay Area! Vance is an excellent teacher...patient, methodical and gentle, yet he furthered my practice so much in just 3 months. I really like his teaching style. I think he has a remarkably innate sense of his students' bodies and abilities. I'll definitely be back to practice when I visit the Bay Area again and am crossing my fingers that Vance will run a retreat or two this year. read more

Vance Selover is an amazing instructor. I was looking for a more traditional approach to my yoga practice (have a background/teacher training in Forrest Yoga). This definitely is the root. Vance gives you yoga postures as you progress in your practice. Ashtanga-mysore is a physically rigorous and rewarding practice...bring a towel! I really enjoy the personalized, transmission-based style of teaching. The classes follow Sri Pattabhi Jois' tradition to a T. You can see the meditative benefits of this practice immediately- calmed mind, increased awareness, as well as greater strength and breath capacity. I felt a surprising increase in flexibility. I am very excited to resume classes here when I move back to the Bay. read more

I thought this place was great from the two times i went here. Vance is a cool guy--very friendly and unpretentious. Nice studio space. Definitely a great place to practice. read more

I travel frequently for work and often am not able to find a Ashtanga yoga school near my hotel. I had a meeting in Berkeley in the afternoon, giving me enough time to attend a led practice with Vance on a Friday morning. It was beautiful. I really enjoyed it and Vance had very compassionate and warm energy and was very helpful in poses that are typically difficult for me because of my super tight right hip and my habit of holding onto that tightness. I learned a lot about myself from just taking one led class by him. I come to the bay area frequently and am excited to take a class again next time I'm in town. Thanks again! read more

After several years of yoga a-la-cart, I decided to give Mysore - and one teacher - a try. The first time I tried Ashtanga (led), I knew it was my practice, though I was still skeptical of Mysore - if I'm on my own, why not just do a home practice and save money? Any doubts vanished my first session with Vance. Without having to lead a class, the teacher has time to TEACH. I received a much greater amount of personalized attention in the Mysore setting compared to a led class. Vance is a wonderful instructor, kind and encouraging while still pushing me to my edge (but not over), and my practice improved more in the 1-month beginner course I did with Vance than it has in the past year. As a busy graduate student, I also enjoy not having to stress about getting to a yoga class at an exact time. Since the class is not led, one is able to drop in anytime during a session and not worry about disrupting the class. The studio has a great vibe to it, and you can leave your mat upstairs and not have to carry it back and forth. Vance also tries to create a community space, and on Friday's (the only led day), there's community chanting and chai afterward. read more

I came to Ashtanga Yoga Berkeley for a workshop with Peter Sanson. I loved the space, and the workshop was amazing! I emailed Vance a few times before the workshop, and he was super helpful and informative. I would definitely go back! read more

Ashtanga Yoga Berkeley with Vance Selover has morning classes six days a week and about three evening classes. Vance is a caring yet very precise ashtanga teacher, with sensitive adjustments and attention to breath influenced by Thai massage and other forms of bodywork. The space is very attractive, with nice windows, a high ceiling, and wood floors in a garden setting. Highly recommended! read more